Category: Global
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from a global perspective, including international organisations, cross-border cooperation, climate summits, and worldwide security trends.
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The International Monetary Fund has warned that while rising defence spending can generate short-term economic gains—lifting consumption and investment, particularly in defence-related sectors—it also increases inflation and creates significant medium-term fiscal challenges, according to its analysis published on Wednesday (8 April). Based on data from 164 countries since 1946, the IMF finds defence spending booms…
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The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, as sharp exchanges between US Ambassador Mike Waltz and Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani underscored escalating tensions over regional security and global shipping. Proposed by Bahrain and supported by Gulf States, the resolution received 11 votes in favour but…
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US Vice President JD Vance has voiced strong support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a joint press conference in Budapest, days before Hungary’s parliamentary election. Speaking alongside Orbán, Vance criticised alleged external influence on Hungary’s election, accusing EU institutions of undermining the country’s economy and energy independence. Vance’s visit comes ahead of the…
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US President Donald Trump revisited his concerns about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and allied contributions amid tensions surrounding the Iran conflict. Speaking at a press conference on Monday (6 April), Trump described NATO as a “paper tiger,” asserting that the alliance has not provided adequate support during key operations. Trump also singled out…
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday (5 April), signalling a potential reset in Ukraine–Syria relations and broader Middle East engagement. In a statement, Zelenskyy said the talks focused on strengthening security cooperation, expanding economic ties, and supporting regional stability. He described the visit as part of Ukraine’s “active…
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Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has concluded a Gulf tour spanning Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, engaging regional leaders amid heightened Middle East tensions and energy security concerns. In Doha, Meloni met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, thanking Qatar for assisting Italian citizens during early stages of the regional conflict.…
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Seoul on Friday (3 April) to strengthen defence collaboration and address economic and energy challenges arising from the ongoing war in Iran. Macron’s visit, the first French presidential state visit to South Korea since 2015, follows a stop in Japan and aims…
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Russia and Egypt have reaffirmed their strategic partnership during talks in Moscow, focusing on energy, infrastructure and regional stability. Russian President Vladimir Putin met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, with Egypt represented by Ambassador Hamdy Shaaban. The discussions followed a recent call between Putin and…
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The UK, Japan, and Italy have signed an initial £686 million contract with industrial partners to advance the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation fighter jet project targeting delivery by 2035. The short-term agreement, running until June 2026, enables continued engineering and design work while governments finalise longer-term funding arrangements. It also provides the…
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Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned on Thursday (Apr 2) of “severe consequences” if Middle Eastern energy sources and supply routes remain constrained for an extended period, as he announced a new Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee. Addressing energy security and global supply routes, Wong cautioned that prolonged constraints could extend beyond rising costs, affecting production,…
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